State lawmakers take another step separating teacher reviews from test results

The New York State Legislature has approved a measure that ends a mandate that teacher evaluations be based on the results of their students’ standardized tests.

It’s another step toward ending a 10-year-old bitter fight between teachers and their unions and politicians, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, over the implementation of the controversial Common Core learning standards.

Buffalo school teacher at the Buffalo Academy for Visual & Performing Arts during a lesson this January in her classroom.

Credit Eileen Buckley / WBFO News File Photo

Assembly Education Committee Chair Michael Benedetto was a teacher for 35 years before running for office. He said he was routinely evaluated by administrators. They observed him in the classroom and checked over his lesson plans.

He said that worked until in 2010, the evaluations were taken over by what he calls the “political sphere” and teachers’ performance ratings were more closely tied to results of standardized test scores. He said that led to “chaos and uncertainty.”

“It was a terrible thing, what we have done to the teachers of this state,” Benedetto said. “We decide to say to them, ‘We don’t trust you and you, teachers, are the enemy.’ ”

The bill would permit local school districts to decide whether to use the test results as part of teacher evaluations.

The measure was heralded by the teachers union, New York State United Teachers. Its president, Andy Pallotta, said in a statement that the system was “broken” and needed fixing.

“We look forward to making sure this bill is signed into law immediately, and we will continue to advocate for a meaningful assessment system for New York students that will measure student progress more accurately and address the concerns raised by teachers and parents alike,” Pallotta said.

It now goes to Cuomo, who also recommended the changes in his budget plan. Cuomo initially backed linking teacher evaluations to test scores.

A spokeswoman would not say whether the governor will sign the Legislature’s bill or wait to approve it as part of the budget.

The controversy led to one-fifth of the state’s students routinely boycotting the tests.

Classrooms across New York State have been stirred up by the Common Core learning standards. All this week WBFO’s Focus on Education takes a look at how Common Core affects testing and how those tests affect teachers, parents, and students.

A new school year is starting soon, and education officials say they will try to reverse a growing movement of parents having their children opt out of standardized tests. The boycott could jeopardize a new system of teacher evaluations.